Light for new tank

[lost66]

Hi

My first post! Hello everyone! So much knowledge on this forum, I am lucky I can be part of it.

I am brand new in salt water aquariums. I purchased second hand tank with some equipment. Tank is cycling right now, I think I have "properly" setup rocks. Not perfect but I like the looks so far. I would like to have corals in this tank, not fish only. Soft and eventually hard corals like SPS. Tank came with 2 cheap china led lights (165W). I don't really like these lights and I think I will utilize them with my freshwater tank (they have blue and white channel setup so I can adjust to freshwater). Blue hue is flooding my my room. I made a canopy and it is better but still, during evening hours when I would like to enjoy my tank it is just too bright, too blue etc. They need to be replaced.

My tank is 48" long, 18" weidth and from the bottom to top 21". Typical 95G tank as far as I know.
My budget is limited let say to ~$800 and as far as I noticed I would be able to buy decent light and my first choice goes to 2x AI Hydra 32. I read good things about this brand and I can set light schedule via app. And I almost bought it but then I checked the more branded ones like Kessil AP 700 which has a spread to 48" so I would need only one - almost one (my current light is around 9" above water level).

So the bottom line is - is it better to find one unit which can handle 48" spread or pick 2 units like hydra 32?

 

[jsker]

Welcome to R2R, The light looks great!!

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Welcome! I think you can go either way. If weight is a concern, that might drive your decision-making process.

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Welcome. I would suggest Reef Breeders myself. I use them and I have been getting really nice growth.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I would turn the blue channels on your current lights down (15% or so) and see how you like those.

It will take a bit of time before you can throw coral in and not ‘expect’ it to turn brown and die...... There are many other things you will probably want for your tank to help you be successful, and the lights you have are very capable of growing coral now.

What is the complete hardware list you’re working with?

 

[MERKEY]

Hello and welcome!!

 

[sixty_reefer]

Welcome to r2r, to answer to your question you need to see how you want to mount the light to your tank, I would imagine you would have to mount the kessil quite high for a decent spread in comparison with the hydras that could just be mounted on brackets directly to the tank.

 

[Dragon52]

 

[El_Guapo13]

Welcome to R2R!!! Nice looking tank. Just remember to not get impatient with the cycling and add too much livestock at once so you won't have to worry about causing a crash from putting to much pressure for the biological filtration (ie bacteria) to handle.

 

[AdamB]

Welcome to R2R!! Hydra 32’s would be my choice . I have 2 26’s in my 80 gallon and very pleased with color and growth

 

[Dragonreef202]

Welcome to R2R. I have a 48" maxspect razor 320 on my 75 gallon tank and have enjoyed it very much.

 

[lost66]

Thank you for so many replies! I turned down blue channel a bit and it's better. I will play with it for a while when my tank will be occupied not only by bacteria. For the Kessil, I just checked and the spread is smaller than my tank length at this height so I think I will just hunt for a decent deal and buy hydras next Black Friday or so.

@Jon Fishman I have basic hardware, I don't want to have my tank more expensive that it has to be. So for now I have:

• DIY 29g sump with sock and bubble magus curve 5 skimmer (now is off to not delay cycling), refugium section with xport brick and chaeto and return section with dc jebao return pump. I try to make slow flow because of noise and to filter water properly in refugium. osmolator is on the way, I will place it in return section.
• 200w heater in overflow box
• 2 jvp-101 power heads but since I want to start with soft corals I am thinking about replacing them for jebao sow-4 to have a nice wave effects.
• For the future upgrade when there will be a need I will put double reactor for GFO and carbon (for now I will keep carbon in bags in the sump) and uv sterilizer.

Patience is not my domain and I really try to do things slow when it comes to reef tank When cycling is done I will add CUC and enjoy crabs, shrimps and snails Then after 2 weeks or so I plan to add 2 clowns and anemone. And then I will wait a while and put other corals one at the time in a 2 weeks window or something like that.

When I purchased this tank I didn't know how expensive this hobby is... So I really want to make it right

Thanks again for your input guys!

 

[Jon Fishman]

FYI, most will say that is way too early to add an anemone, but it can be done

 

[lost66]

If it's too early than I will wait. I haven't done much investigation about anemone yet. But for sure, before adding anything to the tank I will read about it.
Thanks!

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R @lost66 !!! Nice looking setup. Like the rock scape. By the dimensions you have a 75g tank. Patience is the key of success on this hobby.

 

[CasaReefer]

HI Lost, Welcome to R2R... Nice set up... Thanks for jumping In...

 

[lpsouth1978]

If you go the Hydra 32 route, I would suggest 3 for a 48" tank. 2 will work , but will be pretty uneven PAR throughout the tank. With careful placement you could still keep most critters. 3 would give you better coverage and spread. I have 2 x 26's over my 40b and have amazing results!

Also, Welcome to R2R!